Hampshire sign Ottniel Baartman for six Vitality T20 Blast games

Hampshire have signed Ottniel Baartman, the South Africa seamer, for the second half of their Vitality Blast campaign. Baartman replaces Afghanistan's Naveen-ul-Haq, who has pulled out for personal reasons. Baartman, 31, still can't seem to be covered by his nation however was named in South Africa's T20 World Cup crew and could make his presentation in their series in the West Indies beginning not long from now. He played under Adi Birrell, Hampshire's lead trainer, for consecutive SA20 champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape, where he was likewise a colleague of Liam Dawson. "I'm truly anticipating getting together with Hampshire Falcons for my most memorable experience of area cricket," Baartman said, "it's perfect to connect back up with Adi Birrell and Liam Dawson who I know well from the SA20. I've heard extraordinary things about the environment at Utilita Bowl and I can hardly stand by to get playing before the Falcons fans this mid year." Baartman will take over from Michael Neser, who has finished paperwork for the initial eight Impact bunch games, joining Ben McDermott among Hampshire's abroad choices. He will be accessible for six apparatuses in July, beginning with the excursion to Middlesex, as well as the knockout stages in September on the off chance that Hampshire progress. Giles White, Hampshire's head of cricket, said: "It's an incredible lift to the crew that Ottniel is accessible and quick to go along with us after the World Cup. He fits the job impeccably and falls off the rear of an extraordinary homegrown summer in South Africa."